Peregrine Falcon

Last week I had a great opportunity to visit one of my local quarry's, and the saying round thez yer partz (local dialect) is "pick a quarry old or working and you will find Peregrines". These Peregrines did not let me down and it was great to spend a couple of hours with them. I should state, I was on a mission as with me were 2 great people from Quantock AONB. What they wanted to see was just how much disturbance a pair of Peregrines could put up with. These 2 are not the exception its probably more the case that they have got used to peoples coming and goings. What is important without doubt is that the people visiting know the Falcons are there and living in these more public quarry's because in that way it creates a respect on both sides. The problem again for these public quarry's is when people are not told about the Falcons and stumble into them, and this is where major disturbances takes place.

Another local quarry has now come forward to ask me to look at ways that people could be introduced to a quarry for the enjoyment of watching these magnificent Falcons. Now that's a real fun project to get my teeth into, mainly because bringing people and wildlife together is going to be so important in the future. Clearly there will be some species that this idea will not for, however the Peregrine is not one of those and providing its planned properly there is no reason why people should not be able to watch these birds at close quarters without the Falcons ever feeling threatened at all. People and wildlife is the key here, get the people interested in wildlife by giving them access to it, then when it is threatened and on their door step they are more likely to action to protect it.

This week is a planning week as the big Long-eared Owl survey begins in January, so if you have been involved before stand by for an e mail informing of the dates for some very late and very cold nights out.

BFN